Bangladesh Navy Hydrographic Department initiated its journey by establishing the BN Hydrographic School in 1983 at BNS ISSA KHAN, Chattogram. To manage and distribute the charts and publications, BN Chart Depot was established in the same year. Thereafter, the first-ever hydrographic survey was conducted at Naf River and a hand-made chart was produced in 1983. In the same year, a hydrographic vessel namely BNS TALLASHI was commissioned in BN hydrographic fleet as a pathfinder. In 1997, the department published the first color chart Karnaphuli River.
The department stepped into the digital era of surveying by undergoing an outstanding transformation with the help of the French Government under the scheme of Hydro Bangla Project-1 and Hydro Bangla Project-2 in 1996 and 2001 respectively. Gradually, the department was enriched by incorporating modern hydrographic equipment (Single Beam Echo Sounder, Multi-Beam Echo Sounder, Side Scan Sonar, Sub Bottom Profiler, Current Profiler etc) and software. Within a very short period, the department achieved its reputation in the global community. Necessity was felt to establish a center as the hub of all Hydrographic activities as well. In 2001, the department inaugurated a nautical chart production and distribution centre namely Bangladesh Navy Hydrographic & Oceanographic Centre (BNHOC). In the same year, Bangladesh received the prestigious membership of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). In 2019, BN Chief Hydrographer organization was formed taking operational and administrative control over Hydrographic Ships, BNHOC and the BN Hydrographic School. With time, the department has flourished and emerged as one of the most operational and important departments of Bangladesh Navy.
